Fanning Takes Teahupoo

MICK Fanning wins the Billabong Pro Teahupoo over Joel Parkinson and cements world number one spot with Parko in second.

Fanning was comboed early doors after Parko collected a 9.50 and an 8.87 on his opening two rides. However, former event runner-up fought back mid-heat with an impressive 9.37, backing it up with a nail-biting 9.50 to take the lead and hold it as the buzzer ran out. Fanning became the first Australian since Mark Occhilupo in 1999 to claim the Billabong Pro Tahiti title.

"It's a 35 minute final so I knew the waves were going to come," Fanning said. "I just had to be patient. It's Teahupoo so it goes on and off. You can get two 10s in two minutes so I knew I just needed to keep my composure. Joel is such an incredible surfer and he's gotten so good out here. I knew I needed to focus on my own game plan. I got that score about mid-heat and then was able to sell him when he had priority on one that didn't pan out for him. The second wave was the one and it's an incredible feeling to come back and get the win. I'm stoked."